CCU Convocation honors students and faculty
Sommersill Tarabek, a double major in English and communication with a minor in Asian studies, received the Distinguished Student Award that recognizes a student with superior accomplishments in both academics and campus service. The Myrtle Beach native will also be one of the President's Award recipients at commencement on Saturday, May 9, for having a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Tarabek is going to graduate school at the Savannah College of Art and Design to pursue a degree in film studies.
Pam Martin, professor of politics and geography, was named Distinguished Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed by students on a "caring and dynamic faculty member who is always available to help students learn." Martin directs CCU's Model U.N. Team and has begun a new sustainable development program at the University in which students produce digital case studies of local sustainability issues and challenges.
Penny Bell was named the 2014-2015 Distinguished Adviser of the Year. A CCU alumna, Bell has been an adviser in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration since 2006 and has been on the CCU staff since 1998.
Departmental awards were also presented to students in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the academic quality of their respective departments. Candidates were nominated by department faculty.
University College:
Interdisciplinary Studies -- Ariel Minardi, Conway
E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration:
Accounting -- Oxana Hendrix, Ufa, Russia
Economics (B.S.B.A.) -- Thomas Sweeney, Westfield, N.J.
Finance -- Elizabeth Vaughan, Conway
Management -- Brooke Keller, Newark, N.Y.
Marketing -- Madison Phillips, San Diego, Calif.
Master of Accountancy -- Zachary Burns, St. Charles, Ill.
Master of Business Administration -- Christopher Leftis, Myrtle Beach
Hospitality and Resort Tourism -- Erik Chancellor, Calloway, Neb.
Spadoni College of Education:
Early Childhood Education -- Jessica Youngkin, New Holland, Penn.
Elementary Education -- Janelle Saggese, Danvers, Mass.
Master of Arts in Teaching -- Kenneth Lewis, Bishopville, S.C.
Master of Education -- Educational Leadership -- Kristi Kibler, Pawleys Island
Master of Education-Learning and Teaching -- Todd Underwood, Surfside Beach Middle Level Education -- Kristi Ogden, Myrtle Beach
Physical Education -- Amy Harriman, Myrtle Beach
Special Education -- Benjamin Alberry, Morrisonville, N.Y.
Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts:
Art Studio -- Emily Munn, Myrtle Beach
Communication -- Sommersill Tarabek, Myrtle Beach
Dramatic Arts -- Juliann Clark, Sumter
English -- Crystal Brooke Clark, Conway
Graphic Design -- Bailey Turner, Myrtle Beach
History -- Stephanie Parham, Bedford, Mass.
Intelligence and National Security -- Charles Stackhouse, Marion
Masters of Arts in Writing -- Jordan Serviss, Canton, N.Y.
Music -- Chandler Rane Parnell, Conway
Philosophy -- Nicklaus McKinney, Myrtle Beach
Political Science -- Craig Kiernan, Bohemia, N.Y.
Theatre Arts -- Gabrielle Harker, Mechanicsburg, Penn.
College of Science:
Biology -- Cyra Cottrell, Surfside Beach
Biochemistry -- Layla Baykal, Myrtle Beach
Chemistry -- John Segreto, Brunswick, N.J.
Computer Science -- Kirby Dill, Myrtle Beach
Exercise and Sport Sciences -- Sarah Henry, Wadsworth, Ohio
Health Administration -- Hailey Olson, Greenville
Health Promotion -- Sara Adams, Mooers, N.Y.
Information Systems -- Dara Shelley, Conway
Marine SciencevJessamin Straub, McLean, Va.
Master of Science in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies -- Nathan Lentini, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Mathematics and Statistics -- Emily Deborde, Flatwoods, Ky.
Nursing -- Gregory Pittman, Kentwood, La.
Physics -- Christopher Mocarski, Garden City
Psychology -- Imir Sanders, West Mifflin, Penn.
Recreation Sports Management -- Dominic Saturday, Ashtabula, Ohio
Sociology -- Jake Kane, Sugar Land, Texas